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Last night LeBron James caused a firestorm when he said Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey ‘wasn’t educated on the situation” when he fired off a “Freedom for Hong Kong” tweet last week that angered China.
https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1183917743680020480
“We all talk about freedom of speech — yes, we do have freedom of speech. But at times, there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you’re not thinking about others and you’re only thinking about yourself. I don’t believe — I don’t want to get into a … feud with Daryl Morey but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand. And he spoke. And so many people could have been harmed, not only financially but emotionally, physically and spiritually.”So just be careful with what we tweet and what we say and what we do, even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech. But the can be a lot of negative that comes from that speech.”
LeBron would later try to clarify his comments by stating that he was saying Morey was “misinformed” about the ramifications of his tweet.
Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
Even with the clarification, many felt that LeBron was being hypocritical considering he’s always been vocal in standing up for social justice rights.
https://twitter.com/TbirdTr3y_10/status/1183960052467752960
Early this morning, ESPN’s Max Kellerman called out the Lakers star for selling out to China and went on to explain how LeBron is no Muhammad Ali.
Max Kellerman on LeBron James selling out
"When there's a real price to pay for taking a stand, then who will stand up? Muhammad Ali, in this case not LeBron James" pic.twitter.com/aDl2FKwDww— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 15, 2019
It’s called selling out, when a billion dollars of business you don’t want disturbed, so now you’re quiet, in this instance it’s called selling out.
It’s very easy to take a stand when there’s low to no cost, when the cost is high, when there’s a real price to pay for taking a stand, then who will stand up? Muhammad Ali, in this case not LeBron James
LeBron is being crushed by all sides and will probably have to do some damage control over his comments.